The Western Mustangs could get a chance to defend their Vanier Cup title on home turf if the 57thth Edition of the Championship Game is coming to London, Ontario for the first time this fall.
During a press conference today, U Sports officially announced that Western and the City of London have been awarded the rights to host the game on Saturday, November 26 at Western Alumni Stadium.
“U Sports is thrilled to be collaborating with the City of London, Tourism London and Western University to present this 57th edition of the Vanier Cup,” said Lisette Johnson-Stapley, Chief Sport Officer of U Sports. “London and Western offer the participating teams and fans excellent accommodation, restaurants and sports facilities. We know guests traveling to the Vanier Cup 2022 will have an unforgettable experience and we can’t wait for kick-off on November 26th!”
Expand excellence
That Mustangs football team has appeared in a record 15 Vanier Cup matches and most recently lifted the cup eight times In 2021, they defeated the Saskatchewan Huskies 27-21.
Hosting London’s first-ever U-Sports Football Championship now adds to Western’s long history of sporting excellence.
“It’s just wonderful to be the host of the Vanier Cup,” said Western President Alan Shepard. “We are excited for the opportunity to celebrate Western’s proud football heritage, showcase all the great things our university and city have to offer, and welcome fans from far and wide to the newly renovated building Western Alumni Stadium – with a CFL-sized playing surface and seating for over ten thousand spectators.”
The stadium is well equipped to host the subsequent league game a number of upgrades and improvements over the past yearincluding the installation of a new purple track, a new state-of-the-art grass pitch and new lights and grandstands.
The 2022 Vanier Cup partnership is an extension of a collaboration between U Sports, Western and the City of London, which will also see the City host FISU World University Rowing Championships 2023 next July.
Zanth Jarvis, director of sports tourism at Tourism London, said his team is looking forward to working with U Sports and Western to bring the Vanier Cup to London for the first time. “Hosting an event of this caliber continues to distinguish London as a premier sporting events destination in Canada while providing a significant economic impact on our community. We look forward to showcasing London’s history and passion for football as we welcome fans to the Vanier Cup 2022.”
Landmark logo
Today’s announcement also included the unveiling of the 2022 Vanier Cup championship logo, featuring an emblem from the Middlesex Memorial Tower at University College, a centuries-old memorial dedicated to the fallen Canadian soldiers from Middlesex County who died in World War I.
The Vanier Cup is a showdown between the Uteck and Mitchell bowl national semi-final winners. At the Mitchell Bowl, the winner of the Réseau du sport étudiant du Quebec Dunsmore Cup meets the Yates Cup winner from the Ontario University Athletics. Simultaneously, the winners of the Atlantic University Sport Jewett Trophy will host the winners of the Canada West Hardy Cup at the Uteck Bowl.
The 2022 edition of the Vanier Cup will be broadcast in English by CBC Sports and in French by TVA Sports and will be available on both broadcasters’ digital platforms.
More event information, including the start of ticket sales, will be announced in the coming weeks VanierCup.com and Western Mustangs.approx